by Asinia Lukata Chikuyu - 6 April 2011
On the strength of about 500 enthusiastic college students, national justice
advocates, and local organizers, Jamie and Gladys Scott stood strong on the steps of
the Mississippi State Capitol and requested that governor haley barbour finish what
he started. On January 7, 2011, The Scott Sisters were released from the Central
Mississippi Correctional Facility by the governor to save the state the
embarrassment of their continued incarceration with potential death looping over
Jamie Scott due to kidney failure. At the same time, the governor wanted to save the
state the cost of providing for the kidney transplant he order as a condition of the
suspended sentence in granted the Scott Sisters.
On Friday, April 1, 2011 the Scott Sisters asked haley barbour to allow them to move
on with their lives. They told governor barbour that 16 years and 32 days was more
than enough time served for a crime that they didn’t commit. They told haley that
they wanted to vote, go on a get acquainted retreat with their children and
grandchildren. They said they wanted to devote their lives to improving the quality
of life for others wrongfully incarcerated. To do these things, they said they
needed to have freedom of movement and freedom of opportunity to seek gainful
employment. They needed the governor to show compassion and grant them a full
pardon.
The Scott Sisters said they needed to get "Off Parole and On With Life". And that
was the main chant of the 500 supporters who marched the streets of downtown Jackson
and stood at the Capitol Building as colonnade columns, like the ones in the
pyramids, for Jamie and Gladys. The students from Fort Valley State University,
Tougaloo College and Jackson State University stood tall with The Scott Sisters to
urging governor barbour to grant a full pardon out of righteousness.
After freeing five men who actually committed murder, the crowd exhorted haley to
earnestly consider the light his decision will shed on the image of mississippi.
Given the shameful history of this state, it was pointed out the healing and
redemptive quality of a compassionate decision in favor of Jamie and Gladys would
have on this state and this nation. Getting Jamie and Gladys "Off Parole and On With
Life" could be a shining star for a brighter future for them, the state and the
nation, if only the governor could be convinced. Call the governor’s office
requesting a full pardon at 601.359.3150 or 1-877-405.0733 or email the governor to
request a full pardon at governor@governor.state.ms.us
As Afrikans in america continue to fight for freedom, justice and equity, we are
fighting because - "We declare our right on this earth to be a human being, to be
respected as a human being, to be given the rights of a human being in this society,
on this earth, in this day, which we intend to bring into existence by any means
necessary". And we are sick and tired of being the only ones showing respect. That
is why we’re here without fear and we want our sisters totally free. That is why we
will be back here on September 15, 2011 again, bigger and stronger, if it is
necessary to convince the state that denying justice to Jamie and Gladys is a threat
to justice for all of us. On September 15th we’ll be facing the rising sun of our
new day begun, let us march on 'til victory is won. Our prayer is "may we forever
stand, true to our God, true to our native land".
DON'T FORGET TO SIGN THE ONLINE PETITION!
http://www.change.org/petitions/a-full-pardon-for-jamie-gladys-scott#?opt_new=t&opt_fb=f
Asinia Lukata Chikuyu
FREE YOUR MIND...
& see what follows
AFRIKAN TRUTH BE TOLD
(Afrikan_TBT)
for the love of our people
BROTHA LUKATA
The Challenge - "Impress Me!
w/ your deeds, not your words"
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